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Justin Verlander to donate $1 million to war veterans initiative

Justin Verlander will donate $1 million to a war veterans initiative. (Jason Miller/Getty Images)

The Tigers announced starting pitcher Justin Verlander has committed to donating $1 million to a war veterans initiative of the team's charitable foundation.

Verlander's donation will help launch The Wins and Warriors initiative, designed to support mental health and emotional well-being of veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan along with their families in Detroit, his hometown of Richmond, Virginia and Norfolk, Virginia, where he attended Old Dominion University.

Wins for Warriors is devoted to sustaining successful programs that work with Veterans and their families along the process to recovery because one size does not fit all. Over the next year, funds will be distributed to two best-in-class national organizations, Give An Hour and The Mission Continues, that have the expertise to have a long term impact on this population in the target markets.

"I'm in a very fortunate (situation) now," Verlander said. "I feel like I wouldn't be here if it weren't for these men and women, so this is my way to give back."

"The Detroit Tigers organization commends Justin for the launch of his Wins for Warriors program and his overall dedication to Veterans and their families in Detroit, Norfolk and Richmond," Tigers general manager David Dombrowski said in a statement. "Justin's new initiative is another example of his commitment to helping those Veterans who have sacrificed so much for our country."